Amachree Petitions Tinubu, Warns of Rivers Instability

President Bola Tinubu faces mounting pressure after a petition accuses the Federal Government of destabilising Rivers State and calls for action against Minister Nyesom Wike.

A petition accusing the Federal Government of destabilising Rivers State and shielding powerful officials has placed President Bola Tinubu under growing pressure, with analysts warning that silence could carry serious consequences for oil stability, regional peace, and Nigeria’s global standing.

Alia’s aide in EFCC net for alleged sexual exploitation,  cyberbullying

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the arrest of Dr Mkor Aondona, the Special Adviser to Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue on Documentation, Research and Planning. Mr Dele Oyewale, the EFCC Spokesman confirmed the arrest to newsmen on Saturday in Makurdi. He said Aondona was arrested by operatives of Makurdi Zonal Directorate of the Commission on Friday over alleged sexual expolitation and cyber bullying. According to him, some female students had accused him of unethical and criminal behaviour involving sexual exploitation,  cyberbullying and blackmail. “The petitioners alleged that Aondona was routinely recruiting slim and attractive girls for ushering jobs and insisted on sexual favours as a condition for selection. “Based on this, they became vulnerable to having sexual affairs with him but unknown to them, he had videos of every sexual act without their consent and was always threatening to leak the videos if they refused to continue having sex with him.  “Aondona was also alleged to be involved in blackmail—sending explicit videos of the girls allegedly recorded without their knowledge or consent through several  messaging platforms. Some of the videos are said to be in circulation.” he said He said the suspect would soon be charged to court.

Foreign fraud rings spreading tentacles in Nigeria – EFCC warns  

The EFCC has raised concerns over the growing presence of foreign fraud syndicates in Nigerian cities.  According to its chairman, Ola Olukoyede, these criminal groups are recruiting young Nigerians into cybercrime, particularly cryptocurrency fraud.   During a meeting with participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) at the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), Olukoyede revealed that these syndicates are not only engaging in online scams but may also be involved in smuggling weapons into the country.  READ ALSO: Ochaigede and the lost vision: a community relations revelation He stressed that the illegal flow of arms and minerals is fueling insecurity.   Recent EFCC operations in Lagos led to the arrest of 194 foreigners from various countries, including China, the Philippines, Tunisia, and Eastern Europe. Many of them lacked valid visas and were conducting financial transactions primarily through cryptocurrency.  Some of those arrested were already convicted criminals in their home countries who had fled to Africa for refuge. Investigations suggest that similar fraud networks are developing in other African nations.   The EFCC has called for stronger collaboration among security agencies across Africa to tackle cybercrime and money laundering. The agency stressed that addressing these threats is crucial for national and regional security.   READ ALSO: Would Abiola have attended the conclave for Babangida? Meanwhile, the National Institute for Security Studies commended the EFCC’s efforts in fighting corruption and financial crimes.  It acknowledged the agency’s role in uncovering hidden financial networks used to fund non-state actors, contributing to instability in Nigeria and beyond. The EFCC remains committed to dismantling these criminal networks and ensuring accountability.

Supreme Court Reserves Judgement In Governors Suit Challenging EFCC’s Establishment

The Supreme Court has reserved its judgment on a significant legal challenge brought by 16 state governments against the constitutionality of the laws that establish the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The case, presided over by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji and a seven-member panel of justices, reached this phase on Tuesday after extensive arguments from the involved parties’ attorneys. Originally initiated by the Kogi State Government through its Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the suit has seen multiple states join as co-plaintiffs. The states involved in the suit, marked SC/CV/178/2023, include Ondo, Edo, Oyo, Ogun, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Enugu, Benue, Anambra, Plateau, Cross-River, and Niger. In a turn of events, the Attorneys General of Anambra, Adamawa, and Ebonyi have withdrawn from the case, with the Supreme Court panel granting their request. The suit addresses critical questions about the federal scope of anti-corruption enforcement, challenging the legal foundation of the EFCC’s establishment under current laws. The decision of the Supreme Court will be keenly awaited, as it holds substantial implications for federal and state powers in the governance and administration of justice. ReplyForwardAdd reaction

Northern APC: Court dismisses suit seeking Ganduje’s removal as APC chairman

GANDUJE

The Federal High Court, Abuja, Monday, dismissed a suit seeking the removal of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In the ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo held that the the Plaintiff, APC North Central Group is not a juristic person having not been registered in law and therefore has no legal power and capacity to file the suit. Dismissing the suit, the court maintained that there was no cause of action against the defendants since the plaintiff has no power under any known law to Institute any case in any Nigerian court. The Judge also held the the plaintiff failed to explore the internal mechanism for peaceful resolution of issues before rushing to the court. Besides, Justice Ekwo held that appointment of officers for APC by its National Executive Committee is an internal affairs of the party which no court can dabble into. The Northern Central APC Group had dragged Ganduje, APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the court praying for nullification of appointment of Ganduje by APC on the ground of gross violations of the party’s Constitution. Specifically, the North Central APC group claimed that the appointment of Ganduje breached Article 13 of APC Constitution because it was not done through democratic process enshrined in the party’s law. The plaintiff, the North Central APC Forum led by Saleh Zazzaga, had filed the suit to query the propriety of Ganduje’s appointment as the National Chairman of the APC when he is not from the North Central geo-political zone, whose turn was to fill the position. In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/599/2024, the plaintiff listed Ganduje, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the 1st to the 3rd defendants respectively. The plaintiff in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/599/2024, asked the court to, among others, restrain Ganduje from further parading himself as the chairman of the APC. It also prayed the court to issue an order directing INEC not to accord recognition to all actions taken by the APC, including congresses, primaries and nominations, since Ganduje became APC Chairman on August 3, 2023. The plaintiff contended among others, that Ganduje is occupying the office of the APC chairman illegally, not being from a state in the North Central geo-political zone. It argued that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the APC breached the party’s constitution when it appointed Ganduje, from Kano State in the North West geo- political zone to replace Abdullahi Adamu from Nasarawa State in the North Central geo-political zone. It also argued that Ganduje’s appointment to replace Abdullahi was contrary to Article 13.5(1) f of the APC constitution and ultra-vires the powers of the NEC of the party, among other prayers.

ICPC Arrests Ex-Kaduna Governor El-Rufai’s Finance Commissioner At Lagos Airport

Sustaining its onslaught, Operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have apprehended former Kaduna Governor, El-Rufai’s Commissioner of Finance and Accountant General, Shizzer Joy Nasara Bada. Bada was reportedly arrested on Sunday at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos while attempting to travel abroad. The arrest comes amid growing suspicions that Bada might be fleeing the country due to ongoing corruption investigations linked to both herself and former Governor el-Rufai. ICPC officials had reportedly been tracking her movements after receiving intelligence that she might attempt to evade questioning. This move is part of a broader investigation targeting several high-ranking officials from el-Rufai’s administration. According to Saharareporters, sources suggest the scrutiny is centered on alleged financial mismanagement during their time in office, with multiple individuals under investigation for their roles. The Kaduna State House of Assembly recently indicted el-Rufai for allegedly embezzling ₦423 billion from the state treasury. Though the exact charges against Bada have not yet been disclosed, insiders believe they involve significant financial irregularities and misappropriation of public funds. Bada’s arrest has sparked widespread speculation, with many questioning whether this marks the start of a larger investigation into the former governor’s administration. The ICPC is expected to release further details as the investigation progresses, potentially revealing the extent of corruption within the previous leadership. Former Governor el-Rufai, meanwhile, has launched a legal challenge against the Kaduna State House of Assembly after it accused his administration of mismanaging ₦432 billion during his eight-year tenure. His attorney, Abdulhakeem Mustapha, filed a fundamental rights lawsuit in June, seeking to contest the claims made against him.